Moving from principles to action for energy supply that mitigates
against climate change requires a long-term perspective. Energy
infrastructure takes time to build up; new energy technologies take
time to develop. Policy shifts often also need many years to take
effect. In most world regions the transformation from fossil to
renewable energies will require additional investment and higher
supply costs over about twenty years

India can vote for an energy [r]evolution

Delhi, March 24th 2009 - As the country goes into elections, the issue of "bijli", continues to be a high priority for the aam admi. Greenpeace releases the second version of the "Energy [R]evolution: Asustainable India Energy Outlook" and calls for political will to back solutions for India's energy that is secure, technically feasible and sustainable in a climate challenged world.

The report shows how ambitions of economic growth and development canbe met while curbing India's carbon emissions. It states that 35% ofthe country's electricity demands can be met from renewable energy by2030 and 50% of the projected energy requirements can be met simply from smart and efficient generation, distribution and use of energy.

"Unlike other energy scenarios that promote energy futures at thecost of the climate, our energy revolution scenario shows how to savemoney and maintain global economic development without fuellingcatastrophic climate change. All we need to kick start this plan isbold energy policy from India's leaders" said Sven Teske, Greenpeace International's Renewable Energy Expert and lead-author of the report,addressing the media, academicians and planners at a seminar heretoday. "There is a huge opportunity in going green now given the fact that India is still developing its energy infrastructure and has the human and intellectual capital to be world leaders on this front" he added.

Providing a global perspective, Oliver Schäfer, Policy Director-EREC(European Renewable Energy Council) said, "The global market for renewable energy can grow at double digit rates until 2050, and overtake the size of today's fossil fuel industry. Currently, the renewable energy market is worth USD 70 billion and doubling in size every three years. Because of economy of scales, renewable energies such as wind power at good sites are already competitive with conventional power. From around 2015 onwards, we are confident that renewable energies across all sectors will be the most cost effective energy capacities. The renewable industry is ready and able to deliver the needed capacity to make the energy revolution a reality. There is no technical impediment but a political barrier to rebuild the global energy sector," he added in unison with the corporate heads from India's Renewable Industry sector present on the occasion.

Srinivas Krishnaswamy, Political and Business Advisor, Greenpeace India said, "In the context of today's economic instability, investing in renewable energy technologies is a "win-win" scenario: a win for energy security, a win for the economy and a win for the climate. Renewable energy sources have the potential to produce electricity without any further fuel costs beyond 2030, creating an enormous number of jobs and helping lift the whole world out of recession. It can also provide immediate and reliable energy for the 600 million plus Indians who have no access to electricity today."

"Climate science today tells us that the threat of global warming ismore dire than earlier predicted. We are the last generation that hasa chance to avert climate catastrophe. We need an energy revolutionand we need it now", said Srinivas summing up the discussion.